The Five Sleeper Hits of the PS Vita Launch

Rayman Origins

I’ve made no secret of my love for Rayman Origins, as well as my sadness caused by the fact that absolutely no one bought it on PS3 (or Xbox 360 and Wii, for that matter). However, Ubisoft have given the gaming public a chance to repent by offering the title up as a launch title for the PlayStation Vita.

I’ve laid out all of the reasons that you should buy Rayman Origins in my review; read it here. The pinpoint controls should have no issue carrying over to the portable powerhouse, and the OLED screen promises to make the lush visuals pop like never before.

This time, there won’t be a multimillion selling Ubisoft game like Assassin’s Creed to cannibalize Rayman’s sales. I’ll be picking up a copy; won’t you join me?

Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational

While my interest in sports games has waned over the last few years, my vigor for the Hot Shots series remains as strong as ever. You know how you hear about Monster Hunter fans sinking hundreds of hours into each entry? That’s how I am with Hot Shots Golf. I would’ve gotten a platinum trophy in Out of Bounds if trophies existed on PS3 then, and I’ve played more Open Tee and Open Tee 2 than all other PSP games combined.

Some people complain that the series hasn’t evolved much since its inception in 1998, and that’s a valid complaint. However, fans of the series such as myself think that’s fine, since it plays so well anyway. My short hands-on time with World Invitational shows that the trend continues, this time adopting the new swing mechanic introduced in OoB.

As far as I can tell, the last few Hot Shots Golf games on the PSP and PS3 have been far from hot sellers. Still, Clap Hanz is dutifully releasing World Invitational for the Vita’s launch, and I’d more people to school on the links.

Army Corps of Hell

It’s been almost eight years since Pikmin 2 released on the GameCube, and Nintendo has been dragging its feet with the supposed development of Pikmin 3. Fans of the series have grown impatient, but there is some respite — Square Enix’s Army Corps of Hell.

Army Corps of Hell draws heavy inspiration from the game that Shigeru Miyamoto thought up while gardening. Instead of cute little plant people, though, you’re given control of diabolical minions. Instead of repairing your spaceship, you’re amassing an army to take on the gods…which I guess kind of makes it God of War, too.

While some will no doubt be turned off by Army Corps’s dark tone and would rather just play Pikmin proper, those that can’t wait — as well as strategy fans in general — might be in for a pleasant surprise.

Those are my sleeper hits for the Vita launch; what are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below, or in the forums!